Living abroad for most of my life has meant I missed out on some distinctly American experiences that many people take for granted. School celebrations for Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day were not part of my elementary school years. However, I did get to take part in one piece of Americana that I will never forget, a Fourth of July parade.
While visiting family, I was asked to ride on the chuckwagon “float” for my uncle’s business. We waved, tossed candy, and rang the dinner bell on the wagon all through the small Texas town. There were marching bands, Girl Scout troops, and sports teams lined up for what felt like miles.
It was a great experience and felt distinctly American. I’ve seen military parades on TV in other countries and different festival parades in person, but small towns in the U.S. do it a bit differently. The costumes didn’t need to be elaborate, nor did the participants need a well-rehearsed routine (other than the bands). The main qualifications were having candy to throw and being ready to smile and wave a lot. The American small-town parades had a casual element that other parades I’ve seen didn’t. This parade was more friendly and less formal, much like how Americans are often perceived.
Shifting Lenses 
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